Laos tours & travel

It’s not the elephants, nor the Buddhas, nor the golden stupas that makes Laos so attractive – it has to be the smiles from its people.

Laos may be one of the least visited South East Asian getaways, but it lacks none of the region’s charm. The twisting Mekong River offers more than just a ride through lush landscapes, but a livelihood for much of the country. In Laos, monuments to Buddha are ubiquitous, with whole caves and parks devoted to these statues. And with icons such as the glittering Pha That Luang temple and the majestic arch of the Patuxai, Laos is one destination that won’t disappoint.

Laos travel highlights

Cruise down the Mekong River

This enormous river and its tributaries nourish five countries in South East Asia. Take a slow boat and enjoy the stunning surrounds.

Laos tour reviews

Lynne Reeve

Cannot recommend a peregrine adventure highly enough, they do everything they advertise and more. Their leaders are fabulous & enthusiastic about their countries. Accommodations are high class. Transport is always great and on time. Good on you Peregine, and Many Thanks.

Deb Bacon

Not a review but a comment that I was disappointed that only two people on this trip
I had. A fantastic time but group travel and getting to know other people is one of the advantages of travelling with Peregrine

Review submitted 10 Nov 2016

Laos trip reviews

Our Laos trips score an average of 4.76 out of 5
based on 21 reviews in the last year.

Local culture of Laos

Local culture of Laos

Laos is home to dozens of different ethnic groups and their various cultures. The dominant group among them is the Lao Loum that live around the Mekong River lowlands. Laotians are renowned for being extremely friendly and curious about foreigners, so be sure to smile and wave during your Laos trips. Laotians are mostly Buddhist and they have some conservative attitudes worth being aware of. If male, avoid going topless in public, and if female, cover your shoulders and thighs. Remember also to cover up when visiting monasteries and temples.

Geography & environment

Geography & environment

Laos is situated in South East Asia along with its neighbours Burma, China, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. The Mekong River is the country’s major riber and one of the largest in the region, nourishing Laos’ mostly jungle and mountainous terrain. The weather is tropical and the year is divided into wet and dry seasons. Although deforestation is causing environmental problems for much of the country, Laos still has impressive wildlife such as tigers, macaques and the very cute doucs. It’s also been known as the Land of a Million Elephants, for its abundance of these enormous creatures.

Shopping guide to Laos

Shopping guide to Laos

Finding local and authentic products wont be difficult in Laos. Cities like Vientiane and Luang Prabang are packed full of local shops and stalls. You’ll find notable items like antique instruments, pottery and jewellery, as well as hand carved figures of Buddha. Laos is also known for its exquisite gold and silver jewellery as well as its distinctive textile industry. High quality silk is used to produce striking bags, scarves and more. Avoid buying anything that looks like its made from ivory, as the ivory trade is both unethical and illegal.

Laos festival calendar

Laos festival calendar

Pi Mai Lao

Laotians celebrate their New Year with a great big water fight. The practice of throwing water on Buddha statues and splashing it at your loved-ones is a cleansing ritual and said to bring good luck for the year to come.

Elephant Festival

This festival in Xayaboury calls attention to the diminishing number of Laos’s iconic animal. With plenty of food, handicrafts and elephants around, the Elephant festival is a yearly favourite.

Rocket Festival

Rocket Festival is celebrated by villagers across the country to herald the year’s harvest. The ritual of setting off rockets is accompanied by music, dance and plenty of feasting.

Food & drink in Laos

Food & drink in Laos

Lao cuisine is based on the staple of sticky rice, complimented by fried and spicy ingredients. One of the most famous dishes is larb, made from spicy marinated meat, herbs and vegetables, sometimes served raw like ceviche. Other popular eats include a green papaya salad known as som tam and a Vietnamese noodle soup called feu. Lao cooking has been heavily influenced by French and European cuisine, especially when it comes to bread. Baguettes are a common street food, and baked goods are enjoyed for breakfast.

We ask all our travellers to obtain their Laos visas at the border, and NOT in their home country. Your tour leader will assist you in obtaining a Laos visa, generally at the border, depending on the current state of affairs, as it can vary.

Please ensure that you have at least 1 passport photos and up to US$60 cash (this may vary too) to fulfil the requirements. There will also be an Immigration Fee of USD1. To assist us in processing your Laos visas, please provide your agent with accurate passport details prior to the departure of your trip as these details will be passed on to our leader.

When crossing the border you will most likely see a lesser entry fee than what you have paid. This is due to the leader having to use a local agent to process the visa which allows the group to cross the border as quickly as possible.

Tipping is not a strong custom but it is becoming more common in Laos due to the very low wages of the locals. Most people round up their bills when at restaurants and tip for other services when they’ve been particularly good.

Laos has good mobile phone coverage in major cities and urban areas, but service is unreliable outside of these places. Remember to activate global roaming with your provider if you wish to use your mobile while traveling.

Most toilets in Laos are squat toilets but you’ll find western style toilets at some hotels and tourist establishments. Soap and toilet paper aren’t always provided so you may like to carry some with you.

Drinking tap water is not considered safe in Laos. For environmental reasons, avoid buying bottled water and bring a bottle or canteen with you. Ask your leader where you can access filters to refill your supply, or carry your own purification tablets with you.